Morley through to Yorkshire Cup Final

Morley edged a tough close game against last years beaten finalists.

Tough day at the office today. Yes Old Rish are in the semi final, last years runners up, but we beat WPL a couple of weeks ago, who are the cup holders, the best team in Yorkshire and they were beaten by a good score, so today should have been easier... well,should it?

Old Rish started downhill, with the wind behind them and they were quicker out of the blocks. For the first 20 minutes Morley struggled to get any ball, and what ball they got they either lost or didn't use very well. Old Rish were dominating the game, winning the rucks and forcing mistakes from Morley. Some quick hands on the blind side and Old Rish were in, with the conversion missed.

Morley's heads were down, struggling to get ball and with the penalty count creeping up, Morley needed some luck. That came with some great cross field kicking and chase, followed by a steal of the ball and further pressure on the Old Rish defensive line. Morley switched the ball from right to left and soon found that they had space one the outside, cut back in to score, and then followed that with an excellent conversion, edging Morley in front.

The first half soon came to and end in what seemed like no time. Morley needed to up their game having been drawn into a forwards battle they were not winning, going up hill. Morley began to use the tail wind and slope to push Old Rish back this game Morley chance to apply pressure. Again Morley squandered ball, made the wrong decisions and became frustrated with their own play. Eventually the break came with some excellent support play and Morley extended their lead and with another good conversion put themselves two scores in front.

Old Rish were not finished and soon upped their game to charge up the hill against the wind, several times their winger making great yardage to put them in good field position. Morley's sliding defense was keeping them in the game and Old Rish at bay. Whilst Morley kicked down field and chased well, some how didn't convert this possession and field position into points, only then to find Old Rish back in the Morley 20. Old Rish piled the forwards forward, phase after phase, eventually paying off with Old Rish going over for a well deserved try, the conversion missed, 5 minutes to go.

Morley ran the remainder of the time out keeping the play in the center of the field, trying to prevent Old Rish from getting the ball wide. Morley did this well and the 5 minutes flew by, and the final whistle was blown.

Whilst the Morley boys and parents celebrated, it was relief for the coaches!! Well done to the boys, it wasn't pretty and they ground it out on a cloggy, muddy pitch in poor weather. On a positive not, if you can have an off day and still win, then may be that is out of the way and good days can return!!